RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at a home in Jackson Ward.
PHOTO: Reid Schiff
Flames from the fire went through the roof of a home in the 100 block of West Clay Street, near Adams Street. Firefighters closed off several blocks of traffic as they worked diligently to extinguish the blaze.
The smoke billowed throughout the neighborhood and the blaze was seen from blocks away.
The close proximity of homes brought many onlookers out to watch in concern as firefighters battled the fire over two hours.
One person was taken to the hospital for an asthma attack triggered by smoke exposure. The Red Cross has been called to help three males and one female.
Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire is either electrical or accidental, Capt. David Martin with Richmond Fire said.
They are not sure at this time and said that because there were so many combustibles at the point of origin (where the fire started) they may not be able to definitively determine a cause.
Cpt. Martin said that he didn’t think the fire was likely caused by the space heater because that particular model had no open flame, but it could have contributed to how quickly the fire spread, because it contained oil.
He said it’s estimated there was $80,000 in damage; $60,000 to the building and $20,000 worth of damage to contents.
